SD2615 Air Traffic Management and Modern Avionics 6.0 credits

The course will start with an introduction to modern air traffic management. After this, the lectures will focus on describing modern aviation technologies and systems used for communication and navigation. Special consideration will be given to the functions and use of the Flight Management System (FMS).

Once the modern avionics systems are explained and understood, the course will explain how the management of the air traffic is carried out today. The lectures will describe the structure of the air traffic system looking at the main stakeholders, their objectives and constrains.

Finally, the students will be lectured in current advanced concepts in air traffic management and avionics directed to achieve higher levels of safety, capacity and efficiency.

Together with the regular lectures, the course will include homework in practical issues. There will be also a field trip to the Air Traffic Control Center at Arlanda airport in Stockholm.

In the second half of the course, students will work in groups on a project in air traffic management or avionics in order to get a “hands-on” knowledge of the subject matter.

The overall objectives of the course are that you should be able to

• Describe avionics systems used in modern commercial aircraft today, and how the use of those systems influences aircraft operations.
• Explain the general structure of the air traffic management system, giving details about the main stakeholders (airlines, aviation authorities, navigation service providers, aircraft and pilots). Motivate the interaction of these stakeholders in the management of the airspace.
• Explain the ongoing developments in avionics and air traffic management directed to achieve higher levels of safety, capacity, economy and environmental considerations.

Base program T or a similar background. SD1600 Project Course in Aeronautics is recommended but not required.

Moir I., and Seabridge A., Civil Avionics Systems, AIAA Education Series and Professional Engineering Publishing Ltd, 2002.

Course compendium: Air Traffic Management.

• PRO1 - Project, 3.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
• TEN1 - Examination, 1.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
• LAB1 - Laboratory Work, 2.0 credits, grading scale: P, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

Laboratory work (LAB1; 2 university credits)
Written exam (TEN1; 1 university credits)
Project assignment (PRO1; 3 university credits)

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.